Baseline Ecology Survey of Bord na Móna s Bogs Rehabilitation trials and communication David Fallon
Rehabilitation trials and communication Internal and external communication Rehabilitation trials
Drinagh
Drinagh BnM and Birdwatch Ireland joint project Wader habitat creation Re-profiling high fields Scrub removal Block outfalls
Drinagh wetland bird project - 31 ha -second area rehabilitated - Successful development of wetlands - Breeding waders in first year - Minor Birch re-growth from first year - Ongoing monitoring of water levels and site development
Drinagh results Headline news from Drinagh 2011 is that the breeding wader population in the area where we cleared the scrub and re-profiled the drains rose from one pair of Lapwing and one pair of Snipe last year (2010 pre-management) to four pairs of Lapwing, three of Snipe, two of Redshank and one of Ringed Plover this year. Although not confirmed, I think that Teal also probably bred as well. Coupled with the use of the area last winter by waders and wildfowl, I think we can probably state that the work was a success! Dr Alex Copland (Birdwatch Ireland September 2011)
Drumman Vegetate area of bare peat 18.3 ha Nurse crops planted in April 2010 - Triticale (+ fertiliser), Reed Canary Grass (+ fertiliser), fertiliser on its own and fertiliser and lime.
Results of rehab trials in Drumman Triticale plot - Triticale has been replaced by a cover of Willow Herb, Heath Sorrel, Soft Rush and Purple Moor Grass (25-50% cover). Reed Canary Grass - 95% vegetation cover dominated by RCG, some Birch and Rosebay Willow Herb also. Fertiliser - 50% vegetation cover (Birch dominated) Fertiliser and Lime - 95% vegetation dominated by Soft Rush
Fertiliser and lime
Drumman fertiliser only
Flood defence berms Peat berms constructed around low lying areas of production bog Rapid vegetation required in order to stabilise the berm
Kilmacshane crop trials Blackwater reedbed trials Bunahinley re-wetting Other rehab projects
Ongoing projects contd. Carbon monitoring Carbon restore and Reedflux
Cuckoo Hill Bog (Killeglan) Total area of bog 124 ha Rewetting 66 ha of ditched high bog. Other habitats: woodland, regenerating cutaway
Level survey of bog Construction of dams (1320) Ongoing monitoring of the site
COMMUNICATIONS!!! Ecology Training Community Group Projects Consultation
Why an ecology-training project? Economic: good practice on bog areas, limit environmental incidents within BNM sites and nature conservation designations, enhance environmental compliance and best practice of core businesses
Why an ecology-training project? Environmental: best practice for peat operations in designated areas, improve knowledge share and relations, co-operative approach to environment
Why an ecology-training project? Social: communications across disciplines and fields of expertise within company, education, awareness of environment, promote appropriate behaviour towards environment and ecology
What did we want to say? What is biodiversity? What is ecology? What s so good about it? Why is it important to Bord na Móna? What do the ecologists do? How can we work together? Feedback
5 sessions; 68 attendees Boora, Mountdillon, Derrygreenagh, Littleton Audience: Operations leaders; Environmental Coordinators Engineers; Managers; surveyors Outcomes
Feedback Most interesting: Wildlife; Practical Examples; Rehab Trials Most relevant: legislation; constraints Most important: public perception; company responsibility Key message: Be more aware of biodiversity when working
Consultation and ongoing projects Lough Boora Parklands Wetlands Heritage Ireland Local schools Lullymore Heritage Group Abbeyleix Bog Sligo IT IPCC Butterfly Conservation Ireland Group BirdWatch Ireland Ballydangan and Kiltane Red Grouse projects Red Grouse Association
Rehabilitation trials and communication Internal and external communication Rehabilitation trials
Thank You